Finance Ministry Permanent Secretary George Guvamatanga was a no-show yet again on Monday, skipping a crucial Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) hearing where he was expected to explain the shocking mismanagement of over US$400 million in public funds, as flagged by the Auditor General.
The PAC has been digging into serious irregularities raised in the AG’s report, particularly how the Finance Ministry allegedly sidestepped the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) by making direct payments to suppliers bypassing relevant line ministries and agencies.
According to sources, Guvamatanga wrote to Parliament requesting more time to gather and submit documents concerning the questionable payments.
The transactions involved several entities, including Fertilisers Seed Grain (FSG), Ziminya Dam Construction, Ventures Borehole & Exploration, Nyika Kanengoni, Semwa Dam, Makomo Engineering, and RenForm CC—a company controversially linked to flamboyant businessman Wicknell Chivayo.
In light of Guvamatanga’s continued absence, the PAC has rescheduled the hearing to Friday, May 23, giving both Guvamatanga and Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube a final opportunity to show up and face tough questions.
“This is the final chance,” warned PAC chairperson Charlton Hwende, visibly frustrated with the delay tactics.
“We have resolved as a Committee that the Ministry of Finance Permanent Secretary (George Guvamatanga) need to appear on Friday and we also resolved last week that the Minister (Mthuli Ncube) must also come because there are policy issues that he must also come and attend to.”
Hwende emphasized the gravity of the matter:
“The permanent secretary must also appear with his team together with the minister on Friday, at 10 o’clock in the morning and failing to appear, we resolved that the Clerk of Parliament must issue summons in terms of Standing Orders that same Friday.”
“We give them a very final chance to appear on Friday, and we are preparing summons through the office of the Clerk of Parliament, and if they don’t come, summons are issued immediately on that Friday.”
According to NewZimbabwe, this is not the first time Guvamatanga has evaded accountability.
The PAC is also pressing Treasury to explain its failure to submit treasury minutes to Parliament a key accountability requirement under financial governance laws.
With public trust on the line and millions unaccounted for, all eyes are now on Friday’s hearing where Parliament expects answers, not excuses.
